Dream Valley Mini Discussion Thread

I'm glad I wasn't the only one wondering about this! The wing design in general looks very interesting. I had some really nice wings from Lutz that I loved to pose, but these don't appear to have as much possibilities... And those screws or stoppers I am not sure how they function. I like the idea that they seem removable fairly easily...I think it would be fun to make some wire& fabric wings and just store his resin wings.

After much debate, I have decided on a blank red 1/4 dragon. And the dragon rider I'll have to look at Alice's collection, I was planning to use Denver doll but can't pass free shipping

 

That's what I was thinking it looked like too - the wings both strung to the same base plate, that probably attaches with magnets.
Ugh. I'm probably going to end up ordering one. Not quite decided on the size, though.

 

The smaller dragon doesn't have jointed han- paw- claws?! Just in case this was relevant to anyone, who hasn't decided yet~

 

I did it! I bought the dragon! I chose the red color but without the blushing. I own an airbrush and I think I could do something to my satisfaction; I tend to like my dolls more if I have to take the time to paint them. Oh and I chose the normal eyes version.

Thank you all for pointing out that Alice's collection was including these in their free shipping event!

I did some research on pintrest and found lots of cool red dragon art. I like the idea that those spines on the back are actually some kind of fins....I may add some webbing in between them to get the look. Here is a picture of what I'm talking about: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/xzbrA4

 

I got a chance to take solo pics of the anpiel (Achelous human) recently, wearing its Christmas best.

 

Your posts on gold leaf is one of the sources I'd been looking at, and it's nice to know that Mod Podge is a surefire method. I kind of want to experiment on my stunt head with Liquitex sealants, too, just to see how an option that doesn't take multiple weeks to cure works. I think the fact that I want little bits and pieces to look like bits of gold in a gold vein will definitely help; no worries about getting it on overly neatly. As for flying across the room...hopefully wearing a respirator on account of the shimmer powder will help with that, too.

 

Ooh, I like the webbing idea! That should look cool. Good luck!

 

Oh good for you! It’s a truly amazing sculpt. And I’ve been fighting with myself not to get one ever since they first appeared, though it’s been extremely difficult to hold to my no-buy goals when companies put out such amazing things as this. The only thing saving me right now is a lack of a character for it and a definite lack of space. But I truly admire anyone who can bring one of these awesome beauties home, and I can’t wait to see owner photos.

And while I’m here I thought I’d post a photo of my latest girl, A Dream Valley Olivia Rabbit. I hunted for nearly a decade to find the perfect sculpt for my original character, “Serendipity”. She’s my first Dream Valley doll, and I’m truly impressed with her overall quality and sculpting. I purchased her full set, but put her into one of my own pre-existing outfits for this photo:

 

Does anyone happen to have any pics of the B4-04 and B4-15/17 bodies? Trying to figure out just how different they are, since I like the aesthetic of the B4-04 one the most, but have heard that the new ones have much better leg posing/stability.

@Iron_Dog re sealant for body painting & stuff, when cured, is ModPodge stronger than MSC?

 

@mxwutter I'm not sure? I don't use MSC for my projects because it's a pain to get and I have nowhere to safely spray (I live in an apartment and don't have a respirator). It is going to require some serious elbow grease to remove though as I do know this from experience. But, since Mod Podge is water soluble, if you put the part(s) into a container of warm water for a few hours (or overnight!), it will make it a bit easier to remove.

Generally, when I seal something with Mod Podge (I do this for the temp tatts I put on some of my guys), I'll put down 2 or 3 thin layers, letting it dry before applying the next layer. Since the layers are thin, it generally takes less than 5 minutes to dry. I use a make-up sponge wedge (and entire bag is like $1.50 from the Dollar Store) to apply the Mod Podge as I've found that brushes tend to leave visible strokes when you look at it from certain angles.

 

@PoeticSoul she's beautiful! That background is so whimsical, is it an actual doll photo backdrop or a painting?

I'm very excited for my first Dream Valley dolls!

 

It’s what they’re calling these days a “tapestry” which is nothing more than a photo image printed on very thin polyester. I found mine on Etsy by just typing in tapestry (and I chose the 26” by 36” size,) but I think they have them on Amazon and Ebay too.

 

@Iron_Dog tbh it being soluble in water but also armour when dry sounds very handy. I've tried applying it with a make-up sponge but I always end up having way more glue soaked into the sponge than on the actual doll do you wet the sponge beforehand or is there some other trick I'm missing?

@Zacarias I've really been enjoying seeing your human Freya as I looked through the pages, she's full of personality nice to know small SD clothing fits so well, it's a great slouchy look

 

@mxwutter I generally cut the sponge into smaller pieces (say... 3?) and dip the sponge into the MP, then scrape off the excess. I would not recommend wetting the sponge before application as that might water-down the MP somewhat.

 

Tomorrow is the big day. I'm ordering the 1/4 dragon in Red skin. (I blame IronDog for this) Ohh the resin gods are cruel. Please don't tell my wallet this yet. Its still healing after the last resin purchase . lol

 

Sorry, not sorry

 

Question for anyone in the UK who's bought from Dream Valley before, especially larger dolls, do they usually get hit badly with customs?

I'm almost certainly getting myself a lava 1/4 scale dragon and with the wait time, it'll be paid off before customs happens but it's still an additional cost.

On a different thought. What exactly does one make for a dragon. Usually for new dolls I cope with the wait by thinking about/making clothes for them (depending on how accessible measurements are). But a dragon doesn't exactly need trousers and a shirt. Some sort of display plinth? A hoard of things?

 

My plans for any additional decoration for him is jewelry-give him some necklaces, or decorative rings. With the horns and spines, there's lots of area where those can be stuck. Other than that...definitely props. Treasure, a nest setup, and I've been thinking that for a lair, it might be fun to get backdrop drawn up and custom printed.

 

I plan to make a saddle, and to try some concepts for flexible wings to switch the with resin ones. I obviously can't get either of these done exactly without the body, but I can start gathering materials and testing techniques

 

Flexible dragon wings is actually a project I've been working on! I made one pair for a friend's Christmas gift and I just need to finish up my own set so I can finally get around the sorting all the progress pics and doing a writeup.